2017 hasn’t even started, and yet it’s already shaping up to be quite the year for Apple — with the Cupertino-company expected to release as many as three (3) new iPhone variants, a slew of new iPad models, in addition to likely refreshes of other major products across the board. And while rumors about Apple’s imminent future in the smartphone space have so far conflicted, to some extent, a credible new report seeks to add a splash of color (quite literally) to them.

Brought to us this morning courtesy of the popular Japanese blog, Macotokara, the report alleges that in addition to the hotly anticipated, super spec’d-out 10th anniversary ‘iPhone 8’, Apple will also be releasing two additional, inherently beefed up ‘iPhone 7s’ variants — dubbed the ‘iPhone 7s’ and ‘iPhone 7s Plus’.

The report claims that unlike the vastly overhauled, OLED-equipped ‘iPhone 8’ we’ve been hearing about for months now, Apple’s ‘iPhone 7s’ and ‘iPhone 7s Plus’ handsets will represent a considerably more modest step up in iPhone’s evolution. As such, the lower-tier ‘iPhone 7s’ and ‘iPhone 7s Plus’ — which are both slated to retain the same, LCD-equipped 4.7- and 5.5-inch aluminum, unibody form factors — will also boast all of the next generation internals, such an Apple’s forthcoming A11 SoC, and faster connections, for example.

While the majority of the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus’ changes will manifest under the hood, the report does go on to tout at least one major, external design change — in the form of a new color joining the family — that’s expected to take place in 2017. In addition to the current Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, Matte Black, and glossy ‘Jet Black’ iPhone 7 offerings, Apple will introduce a new deep Red colored iPhone.

Not so much is known about this mysterious ‘Red iPhone’ at this point, unfortunately. However, if the color ultimately does touch down next year — even if just as an ‘iPhone 7s’ and ‘iPhone 7s Plus’ exclusive — it’s expected consumers will go absolutely berserk over such a prospect. So let’s just hope that this rumor turns out to be true.

What remains unclear at this point is what, exactly, Apple’s approach for the 2017 iPhone line up will entail. Are all three iPhones going to boast that new glass-metal construction, as renowned KGI Securities analyst, Ming Chi Kuo, has so adamantly suggested? To that effect, will Apple make its OLED-equipped ‘iPhone 8’ the most premium of the company’s offerings? Reports have so far conflicted on that much — and, not to mention, seeing as how we still have months to go until the next iPhone manufacturing season kicks off, it’s likely that these reports will keep on conflicting. So take this information with a grain of salt until further notice, as always, and just know that we will continue to keep you updated on all the latest iPhone developments as they surface.

What new color variant would you like to see Apple produce? Let us know in the comments!